Dining service apparatus



H. SL GREENBERG.

DINING SERVICE APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 111M920.

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DINING SERVICE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 14, 1920.

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DINING SERVICE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.14, 1920.

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DINING SERVICE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 14. 1920.

Patented June 21, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4- W w22:5 iii i INVENTOR QreMaZP/I'Q'Q EEN HARRY STEUBENGREENBERG, 0F DANVILLE, VIRGINIA.

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' Specification of Letters Patent. Pate t d J 21 1921 Application filedSeptember 14, 1920. Serial No. 410,268..

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY S. GREENBERG, a citizen of the United States,residing at Danville, in the county of Pittsylvania and State ofVirginia, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements inDining-Service Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has for its object to provide a compact, inexpensive,efiicient and -quiet apparatus by which the patrons of cafes, diningrooms, etc., may be served without employing waiters or servants orwithout requiring the patron to leave his seat at the table or counter;to provide means whereby the "order card of the patron may 4 bedelivered to the kitchen, the order conveyed to him from the kitchen andthe soiled dishes returned to the kitchen, the cooks duplicate check ofthe order delivered to the cashiers desk and all without the necessityof employing waiters or servants for the purpose.

Another object of the invention is to pro-' vide self-service apparatuswherein the con; veyers of the food trays are under control of thepatron, the cashier and the kitchen attendant or cook and whereby theorder conveyers are under control at the cashiers desk and in thekitchen, the arrangement being such that the patron may stop and startthe delivery conveyers serving his place so as to remove the tray offoodconveniently from the delivery conveyer and place the tray of soileddishes on the return conveyor. 7

Another object is to provide for theautomatic restarting of theconveyers which are controlled by the patron in case he forgets orneglects to do so.

Again, it is an object to provide means whereby the cook or kitchenattendant may indicatelto a patron, when his order is ready and placedon the service conveyer,

thereby enabling the patron to watch for the arrival. of his order.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a table or counter with,placesalong the sides for the patrons and in the middle of the table orcounter is located a return conveyer to the kitchen, which isplacedat anelevation a definite distance above the table top, the same beingflankedon the sides by the servicel or, delivery conveyers whichbring'the trays of food from the kitchen to the patron, these conveyersbeing located below the return conveyer but preferably slightly elevatedabove the top of the table; beneath the returnconveyer and boxed in arelocated the check conveyers that carry the patrons order to the kitchenand the cooks check back to the cashiers desk, the indicating signalfrom the kitchen being located in the side wall between the delivery andre turn conveyers opposite each patrons place where the signals may beeasily visible, the slde walls having openings through which the patronmay introduce his order check to the check conveyer that takes it to thekitchen, the patrons control switch being placed on the table top (or atsome other convenient location) whereby the trays, when set down on thetop of the table, will operate the switch which starts the conveyers inmotlon in case the patron has failed to manipulate the switch for thatpurpose.

In its more detail nature, the invention includes those novel featuresof construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all of which willbe first fully described and then be specifically pointed out in theappended claims, reference, being had to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, parts being broken away and other partsbeing shown insection, illustratingone embodiment of the invention. i

2 is a cross section of thesame,

Fig. 3 is a detail view of one form of driving mechanism that k may beemployed to actuate the several conveyers a i Figs. 4 and P arediagrammatic views of the several control clutches and the conand thekitchen portion adjacent the dining room. i i

Fig. 8 is a, diagrammatic view of the controlling circuitsland theirrelation to 'the' several conveyers and their clutches.

Inthe drawings in which like numerals and letters of reference indicatelike parts in all thefigures, I have illustrated one em bodiment of theinvention which, however,

may be modified in its arrangement and design to suit the exigencies ofthe particular place where the installation is made.

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, 1 designates the table orcounter, the top 2 of which is partitioned into several sections orpositions for the respective patrons. The table or counter includes thevertical supports 3 of any desired design.

4' represents the cashiers desk which is preferably placed at the end ofthe counter or table opposite the kitchen and 5 designates the shelf inthe kitchen on which the trays are. returned by the return conveyer.

Mounted to run from the kitchen along the table past the severalpositions or stations where the patrons are served, aredelivery'conveyers 7, the table being stepped up at 6 to raise theconveyer 7 slightly above the level of the service places of the table.

The return fold of the conveyer 7 is preferably guided on suitablerollers 8, as indicated in Fig. 2. The table is also raised in thecenter, as at 9, to form a support for the return conveyer 10, whichcarries the trays back to the kitchen, the conveyer 10 to insure thechecksjbe'ing moved with the conveyers and the central conveyer, the onewhich carries the cooks check to the cashiers desk, is preferablyincased by walls 14 against access by the patron. The walls 12 haveopenings, as shown in Fig. 2, through which the patrons order check canbe placed on the conveyers 16, the conveyers 15 and 16 running over asup-porting surface 13, as indicated in Fig. 2.

18 designates a countershaft which is driven from a suitable motor 29,preferably through worm gearing 28-27 and on the shaft 18 is a series ofloose pulleys 19-19, 20, 21-21, and 22 for the driving belts 30, whichdrive the several conveyers 7-7, 10, 16-16 and 15, respectively, seeFigs. 4 and 4. a

The pulleys 19 to 22', inclusive, are adapted to be clutched to theshaft 18-by any suitable clutch devices 23 operated to nor mally holdthe pulleys clutched to the shaft. For convenience of illustration, Ihave indicated bell cranks 24 with springs 25 for the purpose. I

The clutches are released from the shaft 18 against retention of thesprings 25 by when the tray is set on the table, the switch will bemanipulated to control the electric circuit in a manner to start theconveyers in operation again, an arrangement such as indicated in Figs.5 and 6, for example, may be employed, though I wish it understood thatother suitable arrangement may be employed, if desired.

Each patrons place is provided with a control switch 31 that isconnected in the circuit 33, which governs the solenoid 26 of theservice conveyer 7 adjacent to the patron. 1

Each patrons place is also provided with another switch 32 in thecircuit 34 which controls the solenoid 26 of the clutch 20 which governsthe operation of the return conveyer for carrying the dishes back to thekitchen.

At the cashiers desk, there are provided switches 31 and 32 in therespective control circuits 33-34 for controlling the same circuits asare controlled by the patron, so that the cashier may stop and starteither of the conveyers 7 andlO at will.

Similarly, a set of switches 31-31 and 32 are provided in the kitchen sothat these conveyers may also be under control of the cook or kitchenattendant.

The conveyers 16 and 15 may have their control circuits 36 and 38similarly controlled by switches 35 and 37 at either the cashiers deskor i the kitchen (see Fig. 8).

In order to in icate to the patron when his order is ready and placed onthe-delivery conveyer, a suitable signal 43 is placed where it can beviewed by the patron and connected into a circuit 42 in which is a pilotsignal 45 and a control switch 41 in the kitchen.

This circuit 42 also includes the source of energy 44.' The circuitswhich control the severalsets of conveyers are also provided with asource of energy 39.

46 is the motor circuit which has a source of energ 40 and which isprovided with'a switch 4 at the cashiers desk and another switch 47 inthe kitchen by which the circuit may be opened to stop the motor'andthus stop the entire system.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that with my arrangement, a patrondesiring to be served takes his position at one of the table or counterspaces or sections (which spaces or sections are, of course, providedwith suitable identifying numbers, not shown) and writes his order onthe usual neeasse pad. Having written his order, the patron places it onthe'conveyer 16 by which it is taken to the kitchen, receivedby thekitchen attendant and when the order is filled, the tray of food isplaced on the conveyer 7 and the required signal switch 41 is operatedto signal the patron that his order has been placed upon the conveyer.As soon as the tray arrives opposite the patrons place, he manipulatesthe switch 31 to stop the conveyer until after he can take the tray offof the same. Having removed the tray from the conveyer, he operates theswitch 31 again to start the conveyer or, if he fails to operate theswitch, it will be automatically operated to start the conveyer when helays the tray down onthe table (see F ig. 6).

VVhenhe is ready to return the tray to the kitchen, he places it on theconveyer 10 which may be stopped by the switch 31 at the time andstarted again toward the kitchen where the tray of dishes is deliveredonto the shelf 5 in the kitchen.

"When the patron sends his order to the kitchen, the cook takes thecashiers duplicate check and places it" on the conveyer 15 by which itis carried to the cashiers desk, so that the cashier will have a checkon the patron who pays his bill at the cashiers desk on his way on 1Many modifications'in the design and arrangement of parts and in thedetails of construction may be made tosuit the apparatus to therequirements of the particular place where it is put and otherelectrical circuit arrangements may be employed, if desired, in lieu ofthe arrangement. diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 8, so longas theprinciple of the apparatus is maintained and comes within the termsrecited in the appended claims. i

From the foregoing description taken in. connection .with theaccompanying draw-- ings, it is thought the complete construction,operation and advantages of my invention) will be readily understood bythose skilled in the art. I

What I claim is 2 1. In an apparatus of the class described, a tablehaving service places or stations, tray serving and returning conveyersrunning past said stationsfrom and to the kitchen, and means undercontrol of the patron or patrons for stopping and starting saidconveyers.

2. In an apparatus of the class described wherein are provided atablewith service places or stations, a kitchen and a cashiers desk; separatetray serving conveyers and tray returning conveyers passing saidstations on the table torrespectively bringing trays from and returningthem to the ,kitchen.

3. In an apparatus of the class described wherein are provided a tablewith service places or stations, a kitchen and a cashiers desk; trayserving and returning conveyers passing said stations on the table forbringing trays from and returning them to the kitchen, and means undercontrol of the patron for stopping and starting said con veyers.

4. In an apparatus of the class described wherein are provided a tablewith service places or stations, a kitchen and a cashiers desk; trayserving and returning conveyers passing said stations on the table forbringing trays from and returning them to the kitchen, and means undercontrol of the patron, the cashier and the cook or kitchen attendant forstopping and starting said conveyers.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, a table havlng service placesor stations, tray serving and returning conveyers running past saidstations from and to the kitchen and,means under control of the patronor patrons for stopping and starting said conveyers, said controllingmeans of the patron including means for automatically starting theconveyer after the tray hasbeen set down at the service place.

6. In an apparatus of the class described wherein are provided a tablewith service places or stations, a kitchen and a cashiers desk; trayserving and returning conveyers passing said stations on the table forbringing trays from and returning them to the kitchen, and means undercontrol of the patron for stopping and starting said conveyers, saidcontrolling means of the patron including means for automaticallystarting the conveyer after the tray has been set down at the serviceplace.

7. In an apparatus of the class described wherein are provided a tablewith service places or stations, a kitchen and a cashiers desk; trayserving and returning conveyers passing said stations on the table forbringing trays from and returning them to the kitchen, and means undercontrol of the patron, the cashier and the cook or kitchen attendant forstopping and starting said conveyers, said controlling means of thepatron including means for automatically starting the conveyer after thetray has been set down at the service place.

8. in an apparatus of the class described wherein are provided a diningroom and a kitchen; atable in the dining room, conveyers for bringingthe trays of food from the kitchen to the table and returning the .traysfood from the kitchen to the table adjacent or stations, a conveyer forcarrying trays of food from the kitchen to the table adjacent to theservice places, another conveyer elevated above the first conveyer forreturning trays to the kitchen, controlling instrumentalities operableat each service place to stop and start the conveyers at the will of thepatrons.

11. In an apparatus of the class described wherein are provided a diningroom and a kitchen; a dining table having service places or stations, aconveyer for carrying trays of food from the kitchen to the tableadjacent to the service places, another conveyer for returning trays tothe kitchen, controlling instrumentalities operable at each serviceplace t8 stop and start the conveyers at the will of the patrons, otherconveyers for carrying the patrons order check from the table to thekitchen. I

12. In an apparatus of the class described wherein are provided a diningroom and a kitchen; a dining table having service places or stations, aconveyer for carrying trays of food from the kitchen to the tableadjacent to the service places, another conveyer for returning trays tothe kitchen, controlling V instrumentalities operable at each serviceplace to stop and start the conveyers at the will of the patrons, otherconveyers for carrying the patrons order check from the table to thekitchen, and means under control of the cook'for stopping and startingall of said conveyers.

13. In an apparatus of the class described wherein are provided a diningroom and a kitchen; a dining table having service places or stations, aconveyer for carrying trays of food from the kitchen to the tableadjacent to the service places, another conveyer for returning trays tothe kitchen, controlling instrumentalities operable at each serviceplace to stop and start the conveyers at the will of the patrons, otherconveyers for carrying the patrons order check from the table to thekitchen, and means under control of the cook for stopping and startingall of said conveyers, and signaling instrumentalities operable from thekitchen and associated with each service place on the table toindicatedto the patron that'his order has been fille wherein areprovided adining room and a kitchen and a dining table and a cashiersdesk; conveyers connecting the dining table and kitchen and the cashiersdesk for bringfrom the kitchen to the cashiers desk.

stoppingand starting the tray conveyers at ing trays of food from thekitchen to the patron, returning trays to the kitchen from the patronand for conveying the patrons order to the kitchen and the cooks check15. In an apparatus of the class described wherein are provided a-dining room and a kitchen and a dining table and a cashiers d'esk;conveyers connecting the dining table and kitchen and the cashiers deskfor bringing trays of food from the kitchen to the patron, returningtrays to the kitchen from the patron andfor conveying the patrons orderto the kitchen and the cooks check from the kitchen to the cashiersdesk, and means under control of the cashier for stopping and startingany of said conveyers at will.

16. In an apparatus of the class described wherein are provided a diningroom and a kitchen and a dining table and a cashiers desk; conveyersconnecting the dining table and kitchen and the cashiers desk forbring-'ing trays of food from the kitchen to the patron, returning trays tothe kitchen from the patron and for conveying the patrons order to thekitchen and the cooks check from the kitchen to the cashiers desk, and

means under control of the patron for stoppin and starting the trayconveyers at will.

1% In an apparatus of the class described wherein are provided a diningroom and a kitchen and a dining table and a cashiers desk; conveyersconnecting the dining table and kitchen and the cashiers desk forbringing trays of-food fromv the kitchen to the patron, returning traysto'the kitchen from the patron and for conveying the patrons order tothe kitchen and thecooks check from the kitchen to the cashiers desk,and means under control of the cashier for stopping and starting all ofsaid conveyersat will, and means under control of the patron forstopping and starting the tray conveyers at w'ill.

18. In an apparatus of the class described wherein are provided adining. room and a kitchen and a dining table and a cashiers desk;conveyers connecting the dining table and kitchen and the cashiers deskfor bringing trays of food from the kitchen to the patron, returningtrays to the kitchen from the patron and for conveying the patrons orderto the kitchen and the cooks check from the kitchen to the cashiersdesk, means under control of the cashier for stopping and starting allof said conveyers at will,

and meansunder control of the patron for will and including switchdevices adapted to be actuated by the weight of the tray to set theconveyers in motion.

19. In an apparatus of the class described. wherein are provided adining room and a"? kitchen-and a dining table and a cashiers 130 desk;conveyers connecting the dinin table and kitchen and the cashiers desfor bringing trays of food fromthe kitchen to the patron, returningtrays to thekitchen from the patron and for conveying the patrons orderto the kitchen and the cooks check. from the kitchen to the oashiersdesk, and signals associated with each service place on the table andoperated from the kitchen to indicate to the patron that his order .hasbeen filled and placed on the delivery conveyer. I

20. In an apparatus of the class described wherein are provided a diningroom and a kitchen and a dining table and a cashiers desk; conveyersconnecting the dining table and kitchen and the cashiers desk forbringing trays of 'food from the kitchen to the patron, returning traysto the kitchen from the patron and for conveying the patrons order tothe kitchen and the cooks check from the kitchen to the cashiers desk,and means under control of the cashier for stopping and starting any ofsaid conveyers at will, and signals associated with each service placeon the table and operated from the kitchen to indicate to the patronthat his order has been filled and placed on the delivery conveyer.

21. In an apparatus of the class described wherein are provided a diningroom and a kitchen and a dining table and a cashiers desk; conveyersconnecting the dining table and kitchen and the cashiers desk forbringing trays of food from the kitchen to the patron, returning traysto the kitchen from the patron and for conveying-the patrons order tothe kitchen and the cooks check from the kitchen to the cashiers desk,means under control of the patron for stoppin and starting the trayconveyers at "will, an

signals associated with each service place on the table and operatedfrom the kitchen to indicate to the patron that his order has beenfilled and placed on the delivery conveyer. v

22. In an apparatus of the class described wherein are provided a diningroom and a kitchen and a dining table and a cashiers desk; conveyersconnecting the dining table and kitchen and the cashiers desk forbringing trays of food from the kitchen to the patron, returning traysto the kitchen from the patron and for conveying the patrons order tothe kitchen and the cooks check from the kitchen to the cashiers desk,and means under control of the cashier for stopping and starting all ofsaid conveyers at will,'and means under control of the patron forstopping and starting the tray conveyers at will, and signals associatedwith each service place on the table and operated from the kitchen toindicate to the patron that his order has been filled and placed on thedelivery conveyer.

23. In an apparatus of the class described wherein are provided a diningroom and a kitchen and a dining table and a cashiers desk; conveyersconnecting the dining table,

and kitchen and the cashiers desk for bringpatron, returning trays tothe kitchen from the patron and for conveying the patrons order to thekitchen and the cooks check from the kitchen to the cashiers desk,ineans under control of the cashier for stopping and starting all ofsaid conveyers at will,

ing trays of food from the kitchen to the and means under control of thepatron for stopping and starting the tray conveyers at will andincluding switch devices adapted to be actuated by the weight of thetray to set the conveyers in motion, and signals as- I sociated witheach service place on the table and operated from the kitchen toindicate to the patron that his order has been filled and placed on thedelivery conveyer.

HARRY STEUBEN GREENBERG.

